Why are there always 12 on a Jury?

Question

Why are there always 12 on a Jury?

Answer 1

after the 12 Apostles

Answer 2

There aren't always 12. Sometimes there are only six for lower class felonies, and misdemeanors. Depends on the state also.

Answer 3

I do not know the historical background on how or why there are 12 people in a jury(Rome?). I do know from personal experience (being a juror in a manslaughter case) that it work very well! I was the "one" who was stalemate on a decision, and after reasoning and sound arguments from 11 other people I changed my mind. It is not perfect but it works.

Answer 4

No one is entirely sure why the number has been fixed at 12, but it is a precedent that dates back to the 14th century in the English Common Law.  This number may come from religious history (12 apostles, 12 tribes of Israel), or something else altogether.  The purpose is to have enough jury members to have a reasonable spectrum of ideas and ideologies, without bogging down the process in "mob justice."  This doesn't always work out, but the principle is sound.

For non-capital punishment cases, the courts have ruled that a jury does not have to have 12 members, but the validity of a lesser number is usually settled on on a case-by-case basis.

Answer 5

12 what?